Import Ban on Certain Apple Watch Models in the United States

According to sources, Apple is facing the consequences of an import ban on certain models of its smartwatch in the United States. The ban went into effect on Tuesday after the Biden administration decided not to challenge the court’s decision regarding patent infringement. The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) ruled in October that certain Apple Watch models infringe on a patent related to blood oxygen level measurement.

Although Apple disagrees with the ITC’s decision and believes it should be overturned, the company temporarily halted the sale of Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 models in the U.S. last week. The ban was imposed following a complaint filed with the ITC in mid-2021, accusing Apple of infringing on “light-based oximetry” functions of medical device manufacturer Masimo Corp.

Despite Apple’s objections, Ambassador Katherine Tai did not challenge the ITC’s decision. In a statement from the executive office of the president, it was stated that the decision of the U.S. judiciary became final on December 26, 2023. Apple, known for continuously improving health and fitness features in its watches, expressed disappointment with the ban, arguing that it leads the industry in providing users with health-related functions, vitality, and safety.

This is not the first legal battle between Apple and Masimo, as both have been involved in patent disputes before. Earlier this year, a lawsuit filed by Masimo ended in invalidation due to the inability to reach a unanimous verdict. In response, Apple filed two patent infringement lawsuits against Masimo, accusing the company of copying Apple Watch technology.

With the import ban now in effect, Apple will need to find a way to resolve the patent infringement issue and either overturn the ban or modify future versions of its smartwatches to comply with the court’s decision. This ban is a significant setback for Apple, which has dominated the smartwatch market with its Apple Watch product line.

FAQ:
1. Which Apple Watch models are affected by the import ban in the United States?
The import ban applies to Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 models.

2. Who filed the complaint against Apple with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC)?
The complaint alleging patent infringement by Apple was filed by Masimo Corp., a medical device manufacturer.

3. Does Apple agree with the court’s decision regarding patent infringement?
No, Apple does not agree with the decision of the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) and believes it should be overturned.

Definitions:
– ITC (International Trade Commission) – U.S. government agency responsible for regulating international trade in the United States.

Source:
https://www.example.com/

The source of the article is from the blog yanoticias.es